Solace Women's Aid
Partnership Working Creating Change for the Better
The AM to PM Wellbeing Service
Partnership Working Creating Change for the Better
The Partnership Between Solace Women's Aid and The AM to PM Wellbeing Service
Written by Michael Sanni (Director)
Already Making a Difference to Peoples Lives
The first organisation to respond to our announcement about launching The AM to PM Wellbeing Service’s parallel, free to access counselling service was Solace Women’s Aid – Tower Hamlets. Rabia Bashir, the service manager, reached out quickly and expressed how urgently such a service is needed in her borough. She was proactive in arranging a meeting to explore how our two organisations could work together in partnership.
During our meeting, Rabia shared that domestic violence is a widespread issue not just in Tower Hamlets, but across London. She spoke passionately about the growing need for counselling and therapeutic services to support survivors who are living with fear, anxiety, abuse, and trauma. One major concern she raised was the ever increasing length of waiting lists for mental health support.
Systemic Issues
I explained to Rabia why I founded our free counselling service, and how it is designed to work. Having spent years on the frontline in various health and social care roles, I’ve seen firsthand what works—and what doesn’t. I’ve witnessed how the system has failed countless people, not for lack of good intentions, but because of structural and systemic issues that have persisted for decades.
Make a Tangible Difference
As a support worker, my views have often been overlooked by those in positions of authority. Despite having lived experience and professional insight, my contributions weren’t valued in decision-making processes. That disconnect left me feeling powerless to effect the change I knew was needed. Encouraged by a close friend, I decided to start my own organisation The AM to PM Wellbeing Service so I could put my experience to use in a way that would make a tangible difference.
Positive Outcomes
Produced by Team Members Who are Passionate and Committed to Helping Their Clients Find Happiness in Their Lives
But even then, I encountered many of the same hurdles when dealing with policymakers and decision-makers. Without getting too deep into the politics of it all, I’ll simply say that these experiences strengthened my resolve to find alternative ways to drive change.
Over time, I developed a strategy to make our service as self-sufficient as possible—building multiple potential revenue streams that would allow us to fund essential support services independently. This approach enables us to offer free early intervention and mental health support, helping people long before they reach crisis point. It’s a proactive model designed to reduce long-term suffering and the strain on overburdened public services.
Encouraged by the Impact
Rabia resonated deeply with everything I shared, and we both felt strongly that our partnership would be a meaningful one. I’m pleased to report that it is already bearing fruit. Positive outcomes are being seen in the lives of the people we support, and we’re both encouraged by the impact.
Scale and Severity of Domestic Abuse
Working with Solace Women’s Aid has opened my eyes even further to the scale and severity of domestic abuse, particularly against women. Some of the cases we’ve encountered are truly heartbreaking, and it only reinforces how critical this work is.
In just three and a half months since our free counselling service launched, referrals have been steadily increasing week after week. The feedback from both service users and professionals has been overwhelmingly positive. A testament to the dedication and compassion of the team members at both Solace Women’s Aid and The AM to PM Wellbeing Service.
As we grow, we remain committed to being innovative, responsive, and community-focused. We believe that real, lasting change happens when organisations come together with a shared purpose, and this partnership is a shining example of that.
Together, we are making a difference—and we’re just getting started.